Ava DuVernay
Social justice director of Selma, DuVernay's narratives delivered quotable civil rights fire.
Most quoted
"I don't think I'm a filmmaker that's interested in showing you how good I am. I'm interested in showing you how good the story is."
— from Interview, 2014
"When we're talking about diversity, it's not a buzzword. It's a way of life. It's a way of being. It's a way of seeing the world."
— from Speech, 2015
"I'm not interested in making films that are just entertainment. I'm interested in making films that are conversation starters."
— from Interview, 2014
All quotes by Ava DuVernay (99)
In cinema, every frame should serve the truth.
Racism is not a relic; it's a living system.
Creativity thrives in spaces where fear doesn't exist.
Stories heal; they bridge divides we didn't know were there.
As a director, my job is to illuminate the unseen.
Power is in the hands of those who control the narrative.
Life's greatest lessons come from the stories we tell ourselves.
Humor in the face of adversity is revolutionary.
Film is my weapon against injustice.
We must confront our past to build a better future.
Authenticity over perfection every time.
Theater allows us to live multiple lives.
Love is the ultimate act of resistance.
Critics don't make films; creators do.
Systemic change starts with individual awareness.
Wisdom is knowing when to speak and when to listen.
Every story untold is a piece of history lost.
Resilience is born from the ashes of struggle.
Directing is about trust and vulnerability.
Politics and art are inseparable in my world.
Contemporaries of Ava DuVernay
Other Film & Theaters born within 50 years of Ava DuVernay (1972).